The history of the Desbarres family goes back to the Medieval landscape of northern France, to that coastal region known as Normandy. Desbarres is a habitation name, derived from the place name Barrault, in Normandy.

Early Origins of the Desbarres family

The surname Desbarres was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where they held a family seat in the village of Charente in the arrondissement de Chatelle Rault.

Early History of the Desbarres family

Early History of the Desbarres family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Desbarres research.Another 127 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Desbarres History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Desbarres Spelling Variations

Desbarres Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous spelling alterations depending on the region and time it was used. The early development of the French language relied heavily on borrowing elements and grammar from other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Desbarres is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Baratte, Barate, Barat, Barrat, Barat, Baraud, Barraud, Barrault, Barault, Bareau, Barreau, Barau, Barrau, Barou, Barrou, Barot, Barrot, Barott, Barrott, Barrotte, Barotte, Barratt, Barrat, Baratt, Barre, Barry, Barrett, Barrette, Barret, Barett, Barrit, Barritt, Barritte, Barre and many more.

Early Notables of the Desbarres family (pre 1700)

Early Notables of the Desbarres family (pre 1700)

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Desbarres Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Desbarres family to the New World and Oceana

Migration of the Desbarres family to the New World and Oceana

In the 1700s, land incentives were finally given out by France to 2,000 migrants. Early marriage was encouraged in New France, and youths of 18 took fourteen-year-old girls for their wives. The fur trade was developed and attracted migrants, both noble and commoner from France. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries, leaving French names scattered across the continent. The search for the Northwest passage continued. Migration from France to New France or Quebec, as it was now more popularly called, continued until 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, Acadia were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Desbarres were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Desbarres were Jean Barrette who settled in Quebec from Normandy in 1661; Guillaume Barrette, who settled in Quebec from Normandy in 1662; Andris Barret, who arrived in New York in 1710.

Contemporary Notables of the name Desbarres (post 1700)

Contemporary Notables of the name Desbarres (post 1700)

The Desbarres Motto

The Desbarres Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.